Flight attendant Miguel Muñoz, based in Dublin, has advised holidaymakers to check the minibar as soon as they check into their hotel room to avoid unexpected charges. Speaking to Express.co.uk, he explained that housekeeping staff inspect the minibar each morning to track consumption, and any missing items may be added to the bill.
Muñoz said: 'I always check what's in the mini-bar before going to bed the first day of my stay. It's important to make sure that it's full and nothing is missing because housekeeping will check it in the morning and add whatever is missing to your bill.' Hotels typically provide a minibar menu, and guests should verify that all listed items are present and unopened.
Travel experts at Zestcarrental also warned that simply removing an item from the fridge can trigger a charge, even if not consumed. They advised guests to check hotel extras like the minibar to avoid 'the sting', noting that items often have inflated prices. They suggested buying essentials from local shops instead.
Hotel staff use various methods to track minibar usage, including daily inventories, visual checks, and weighing items. According to Hotelchantelle experts, each item is assigned a specific weight, and a decrease indicates consumption. To avoid false charges, guests should inspect the minibar upon arrival and report any discrepancies to the front desk immediately.
